Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Helpful Advice?

I've been here over a month now. Only
a few more weeks, and I will be heading to Mongolia! On Saturday, we started
our online training for ESL certification, and it's so cool! I am so lucky to
be going to the only mission in the world where English teaching is a part of
our call, and how we are getting into the country! What a special thing! I am
so excited to teach the people English and help change their lives in that way.

Our teachers have been sharing a
number of stories about Mongolia with us this week. Here is what we have
learned. There are a lot of drunk people, and they often want to fight the
elders or kiss the sisters, so there are some options: 1) Let your Mongolian
companion punch them (yep, our teacher said the Mongolian sisters are that
LEGIT) 2) Split and walk around them... they will be confused and won't know
who to follow 3) Teach them about the gospel... one of our teachers street
contacted a drunk guy when he was new to Mongolia-- he didn't know the guy was
drunk, haha. Also, there are wild dogs there that are HUGE and will attack you.
Here are the defense/offense options: 1) According to the Mongolian sister
here, you just have to be faster than your companion. 2) Also the Mongolian
sisters advice: sit down in a ball, and cover your face so they can't bite your
face or legs.

3) Teacher's advice: pick up a rock
and pretend to throw it. The people there throw so many rocks at the dogs, that
most of the time the dog will be scared and run away. 4) If that doesn't work,
actually throw it. 5) And if that doesn't work, actually kick it... as hard as
you can! Our teacher said its not like kicking a dog, but like kicking a
monster! And the last piece of advice: when walking with your companion, do not
separate around poles, people, or anything else. You walk with them! It's rude
to separate, so just follow the leader.

Mission life is hard! I definitely
have had my struggles, as does anyone else, but I know that it is all for my
benefit. The mission is meant to stretch me and make me better. Each day is
it's own battle, but I, along with thousands of missionaries across the world,
just take it one day at a time. Like our prophet has said, "Life by the
yard is hard. Life by an inch is a cinch." That's what I'm trying to do.
When I get discouraged about the language, or I miss friends and family, or I
doubt if I am strong enough, I just look at it as one obstacle to climb over...
then onto the next one. I think life is like that too. We aren't meant to fly
through life. We are meant to take it step by step, and when we slip, just get
up and keep walking. There are so many amazing people here, and they are such
great examples to me as well. I love my companion, my district, and my branch!
All these missionaries are so amazing! I love being a missionary even when it
is hard. I have never been this incredibly happy all the time. There is just a
pure joy in being on the Lord's time and errand. There is a joy in bringing
others unto Christ. I know this church is true and that it has the fullness of
the Gospel on the Earth today. I have a testimony that Christ lives and because
of Him, we can repent and live with God again. I know the scriptures are true
and that we can find comfort, strength, and guidance in them. I know that if we
follow the pattern found in Moroni 10:3-5, and read the scriptures and pray
with real intent and a sincere heart to know if they are true, that we will
come to a knowledge for ourselves of the truth.

Love you! Miss you! Hope all is well!
I want to know how everything is going for everyone. Till next week!